The Centre, NRAI and manufacturers of Toy Airgun, Rifle, Pistol and Pellet Association had challenged the HC verdict.

In a relief to shooters, the Supreme Court today stayed the Delhi High Court judgment that had held that licenses would be necessary for procuring air rifles and air pistols, which was coming in the way of their training and competitions.

A bench comprising Justice P Sathasivam and Justice J Chelameswar sought a response from Maneka Gandhi-headed NGO, People For Animals (PFA), on whose petition the high court had quashed a 1962 government notification that exempted the air rifle and air pistols from all regulations and controls under the Arms Act, 1959.

The Centre, National Rifle Association of India (NRAI) and manufacturers of Toy Airgun, Rifle, Pistol and Pellet Association had challenged the May 20, 2011, verdict of the high court which rejected their contention that air guns used for target practice were not firearms as defined under the Act but were merely toys and as such these did not fall under the purview of the licensing regime.

The high court had said "it is safe to conclude that air guns, air rifles, air pistols are not mere toys…and they are very much subject to the provisions of the Act, being firearms".